Infancy and Early Childhood Developement
Infancy and Early Childhood Development
University of Phoenix
12/18/12
INTRODUCTION
It is amazing that our earliest memory is still years after we first begin to develop. No one remembers being a one celled zygote or any aspect of the prenatal stage. And the first years, from birth to two, are for the most part a mystery as well. My earliest memory is playing on a porch at a trailer my parents were renting. It is only now that it is realized that my personality was most likely shaped in those early years. Before my memory was fully developed my likes and dislikes, attitude toward affection and sense of humor were all impacted by choices made by my parents.
FAMILY EFFECT
Perhaps the greatest influence in any person’s life is their family. If a child has at least one emotionally supportive parent then there self-esteem will likely be higher than a child with no one to support them emotionally. However, many things can affect a child well before they take their first breath. Prenatal care is a very important stage of development; it is during this stage that our bodies transform from one sperm combining with an egg to the very complex creatures that we become. How does family come into play with this stage? It is during this stage that soon to be parents can choose to terminate a pregnancy or not. So in a way, it is in the prenatal stage that our families can affect our lives the most. Once a zygote becomes an embryo and then becomes a fetus a baby is born. It is now when the family will begin to determine how well the baby’s emotional and social aspects develop. The family will influence the newborn baby emotionally and socially by how they interact with them. For example if a father is unsure how to hold, change, feed or dress a baby and distances himself from the baby it is possible and likely that the baby will be hesitant when the father does eventually come around. Likewise if parents are affectionate,
University of Phoenix
12/18/12
INTRODUCTION
It is amazing that our earliest memory is still years after we first begin to develop. No one remembers being a one celled zygote or any aspect of the prenatal stage. And the first years, from birth to two, are for the most part a mystery as well. My earliest memory is playing on a porch at a trailer my parents were renting. It is only now that it is realized that my personality was most likely shaped in those early years. Before my memory was fully developed my likes and dislikes, attitude toward affection and sense of humor were all impacted by choices made by my parents.
FAMILY EFFECT
Perhaps the greatest influence in any person’s life is their family. If a child has at least one emotionally supportive parent then there self-esteem will likely be higher than a child with no one to support them emotionally. However, many things can affect a child well before they take their first breath. Prenatal care is a very important stage of development; it is during this stage that our bodies transform from one sperm combining with an egg to the very complex creatures that we become. How does family come into play with this stage? It is during this stage that soon to be parents can choose to terminate a pregnancy or not. So in a way, it is in the prenatal stage that our families can affect our lives the most. Once a zygote becomes an embryo and then becomes a fetus a baby is born. It is now when the family will begin to determine how well the baby’s emotional and social aspects develop. The family will influence the newborn baby emotionally and socially by how they interact with them. For example if a father is unsure how to hold, change, feed or dress a baby and distances himself from the baby it is possible and likely that the baby will be hesitant when the father does eventually come around. Likewise if parents are affectionate,
References: Berger, K. S. (2001). Prenatal Development and Birth. The Developing Person through the Life Span (5th ed., pp. 88-119). New York: Worth Publishers. Berger, K. S. (2001). Early Childhood: Psychosocial Development. The Developing Person through the Life Span (5th ed., pp. 264-291). New York: Worth Publishers. Berger, K. S. (2001). Early Childhood: Cognitive Development. The Developing Person through the Life Span (5th ed., pp. 236-263). New York: Worth Publishers. Cherry, K. (n.d.). Early Childhood Development - What Is Early Childhood Development. Psychology - Complete Guide to Psychology for Students, Educators & Enthusiasts. Retrieved December 18, 2012, from http://psychology.about.com/od/developmentalpsychology/ss/early-childhood-development.htm Family Quotes Page 2 - BrainyQuote. (n.d.). Famous Quotes at BrainyQuote. Retrieved December 18, 2012, from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywo